Part 1: Understanding Vintage Fashion

Vintage fashion has become quite the trend recently. Wearing beautiful clothes from the first time they came in fashion is both a social and economic statement, and of course one that often means your look and clothes are more unique than anyone around you. My wardrobe is packed with vintage items, and I avidly read the blogs of vintage fashion sellers and beautiful vintage experts who live the truly vintage life from day to day.

Whilst many people are committed to wearing “true” vintage, I am happy to combine the then with the now, and enjoy exploring the combinations of eras that can result in an off-the-wall and interesting vintage looks, the likes of which won’t have been seen before. However, whilst I am not a religious vintage follower, I do think it is worthwhile knowing a little about the eras that you are emulating to understand the thoughts and beliefs that inspired such iconic styles.

So why is it worth paying attention to the history of the clothes you are wearing? After all, they are “just clothes”, and although they are old and pre-worn it is not necessarily obvious why you should care. And let me just say that I don’t believe you “have” to understand their origins to appreciate their vintage beauty, their master craftsmanship and even to admire the people from whence they came. A little knowledge, however, always makes me feel closer and more personally involved with my vintage clothes, and for me it is the complex history and backstories of an era that make my vintage wardrobe all the more special.

Let’s a have a quick sum up of some of the most popular vintage clothing eras and a tiny overview of the history that bred these clothes and chose these fabrics! Half today, and half another day!

First off, I am going to start with the 1920’s. This era produced the beautiful beaded “flapper” gowns we know and love today – astonishing detailed marvels with straight lines and lots of glitter. Accentuated with feathers and an old fashioned equivalent of the scull-cap, this is an era of art deco beauty, independent women and amazing parties. The women’s rights movement saw women beginning the long journey towards equality, and witnessed women wearing trousers and comfy clothes as opposed the sculpted crafted looks that had proceeded it. Even more remarkable, women began to cut their hair short and wear the early mini-dresses above the knee.

Come the 1930’s the great depression and general difficulties of life dictated that the carefree and dramatic styles of the 1920’s become more conservative and traditional. Longer skirts, cloche hats and elegant high-waisted skirts became the domain of the day-to-day woman far more than the risque stylings and intentions of the decade before. In the evenings, however, women grew to love two brand new styles, the bias cut that emphasised the hips and brought back the womanly shape, and the halterneck that was seen for the first time in chiffon or lace evenings gowns. Interestingly, women in the day time began moving both in feminine directions and more butch styling, with emphasised shoulders and broadness prided alongside womanly curves.

Post-war 1940’s fashion saw a whole new kind of style again. Wartime rationing and general depression inspired make-do-and-mend intentions, and women often made their clothes at home from whatever materials were available. Times were hard and fabrics less than luxurious, generally taking on muted colour schemes and severe tailoring. With women working for perhaps the first time in roles that the country depended on, functional conservative items were de rigour, with smart sensible shoes and understated curves. 1940’s suits with their nipped in waists and delightful cuts are some of the best women’s suits ever made, although they suit the super skinny like Nicole Kidman best!

Interestingly, 1950’s vintage fashions saw quite a dramatic change in the silhouette of women’s fashions and body shapes. Discarding the straightup and down wide shouldered suits, the 1950’s instead opted for full figured hourglass shapes, with round hips and tiny waists. Permed hair, wide swing skirts and elegant housewife halternecks were impressively popular, seeming to emphasise a well fed nation rather than the war-torn nation for the 1940’s. Rock and roll became wildly popular and women were sent back to the home, as men returned to the jobs women had been covering. A time of dancing and jiving, the 50’s had a surprising amount of repression and stress for women’s lives.

Read Part 2, 1960’s to the present day!